Towson Center sees its last commencement

President Maravene Loeschke, Interim Provost James DiLisio, and other faculty and staff leaders were on hand as Towson University conferred 1,247 baccalaureate degrees, 700 master’s degrees and certificates, and 13 doctoral degrees during its 148th Commencement.

Thousands of students, parents, relatives and friends attended the ceremonies, held Sunday, Jan. 6 in the Towson Center.

“Today we celebrate you, our newest graduates, and your significant academic achievements,” said President Loeschke, in her address to the audience. “It has truly been our pleasure to guide and mentor you and watch your transformation.”

In addition to the president, featured speakers included members of the Towson University Student Government Association, Towson University Alumni Association, University System of Maryland Board of Regents, and undergraduate and graduate student representatives.

“Our time at Towson represents a time of growth and change in our lives,” said Chipe Geatty, a nursing major, to her fellow graduates. “As I look around this room at faces known and unknown, I can only imagine how we—graduates of Towson University—will change the world in the years to come.”

The ceremonies were likely the last commencement exercises to be held in the Towson Center, which has hosted convocation for close to 40 years. Currently under construction and scheduled for completion in May, the Tiger Arena will host future ceremonies. The state-of-the-art facility will seat 5,200 and serve as the new home of the university’s basketball, volleyball and gymnastics teams.